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Who was Dasari Gopikrishna? 32-year-old Indian student from Andhra Pradesh killed in US shooting
A 32-year-old Indian student was reportedly killed in firing at a grocery store in Houston in the United States.
A 32-year-old Indian student was reportedly killed in firing at a grocery store in Houston in the United States. Dasari Gopikrishna sustained critical injuries, while working at the billing desk, during a robbery incident at a gas station convenience store in Pleasant Grove, Dallas, on June 21.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday while undergoing treatment.
Around 14 people were hit by gunfire, including 11 civilians, two law enforcement officers and the suspect, the police said in a statement, reported AP.
India's Consul General in Houston, D C Manjunath, who was in Dallas for a Yoga Day event on Sunday, confirmed to PTI that the incident was unrelated to a shooting in Arkansas, as previously reported by various sources.
Expressing condolences to Gopikrishna's family, Manjunath said, "We are deeply saddened to learn about the tragic demise of Indian national Gopi Krishna Dasari in a robbery shooting incident at Pleasant Grove, Dallas, TX, and are in touch with local family members."
Who was Dasari Gopikrishna?
Gopikrishna, an Andhra Pradesh native from the Bapatla area arrived in the US just eight months ago.
On June 21, a shooter opened fire at grocery store, where Gopikrishna was employed.
His family, residing in Yajali, Karlapalem mandal, Bapatla district, was devastated after hearing the news of his demise. He is survived by a son and a wife.
A video of the tragic incident went viral on social media, showing a man donning mask, shorts, and a cap firing at Gopikrishna before robbing money and some item from the store.
The incident has sent shockwaves among Indian population in Dallas and nearby areas.
Andhra CM extends condolences
On Sunday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the incident and mourned the demise of Gopikrishna.
"I offer my heartfelt condolences to his family and assure them that the GoAP will extend every possible support to help bring him home. We firmly stand by the family and pray for them to find strength through this difficult time," Naidu wrote on X.
Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the former chief minister of the YSR Congress Party and a former chief minister of the state, has also expressed shock over his death. He has appealed to the Naidu government and the Ministry of External Affairs to support the deceased's kin unconditionally.
With cooperation from Indian associations, the Consulate is offering every assistance possible to enable Gopikrishna's corpse to be repatriated to India after completing all necessary procedures, such as death certificate and autopsy report.
